“Gray forces us to face the mirror and see ourselves as we are”
James Lovelock

The acclaimed philosopher, sceptic and writer makes a welcome return to the festival with his new book, The Soul of the Marionette, a characteristically provocative exploration of the nature of human freedom that ranges over everything from cybernetics to fairground marionettes. Why do we flatter ourselves that we enjoy free will, Gray asks, when our actions are determined, directed and restricted by a whole range of forces: biological, social or metaphysical? Through a dazzling parade of writers, thinkers and ideas, Gray argues that instead of deluding ourselves about our true nature we should learn to embrace it.

The event is chaired by writer and film-maker Carlo Gebler